🚨Further statement from horsescotland Chair, Grant Turnbull🚨

In advance of commenting, please read and digest fully...

Thank you for your tremendous support following the issuing of our revised Equestrian Guidance yesterday.
 
Within the past 24 hours a number of anomalies have arisen, particularly around the travel guidance issued by sportscotland.  As an organisation, we have identified and highlighted these anomalies to sportscotland today and sought clarification within an equestrian context.  The main point of clarification, so far, is as follows:
Travel should be restricted, for sport, exercise, training and competition purposes, to your own Local Authority area, or within a 5 mile radius of your Local Authority boundary if travelling into a neighbouring Local Authority area - please note, the five mile distance is now not from your home, as was recommended yesterday, but you should still not travel between restriction levels.

The recommendation not to travel between Levels 0, 1, 2 and 3 for sport, exercise, training or competition remains in place, at this point in time.

Please note the guidance for  Under 18's has not changed. They can continue to travel across Levels 0-3 for exercise, training and competition. Parents or carers can drive and accompany, but not participate.

Member Bodies, venues, coaches and participants should continue to follow our Approved Equestrian Guidance and therefore demonstrate the commitment of our community to mitigating transmission of the virus - by being able to demonstrate this, we are in a much stronger position to seek further relaxation measures specific to equestrian activity for the future.

horsescotland continues to engage with sportscotland, Active Scotland and Scottish Government on behalf of our Member Bodies, venues, coaches and participants to highlight the significant issues faced across Scotland due to the geographical distribution of our competition and training venues.  We continue to work on your behalf with the aim of obtaining approval for further relaxation of the onerous travel restrictions imposed through general population guidance.  We are not miracle workers, and the channels allowing change sometimes need oiling and warming up before the best outcome can be achieved.  

Anomalies will inevitably arise, we've seen that throughout the past few months, but please bear with us. We are working collectively for the Scottish equestrian community and your patience and understanding is very much appreciated at a time when guidance is new, fresh and untested.  

Like it or loathe it, I'm afraid we do have to work with Government guidance - but this does not mean it cannot be challenged...

Remember you can check your Local Authority level by inputting your postcode here  ⤵️

https://www.gov.scot/check-local-covid-level/

To download the full Equestrian Specific Guidance please follow the link below ⤵️ 

https://www.horsescotland.org/equestrianphaseguidance

Grant Turnbull
horsescotland Chair

#horsescotland #equestrianguidance #COVID19 #staysafe #stepatatime #equestrian #sport